The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-17
FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM.
A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
ISSUED FOR MAGGIE TERRELL.

Latest Developments in the Smith
Cassidy Tragedy - Maggie Terrell
Developing Hysteria in Confinement
Her Deafness Point in Her Favor
win She Be Released?
The trump card played yesterday after
noon by Maggie Ferrell's counsel was the
granting of writ of habeas corpus by
Judge Adams, ON her sworn petition, re-
turnable Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock. 1t
certainly was an afternoon of rumors, sur
prises and sensations. Early in the after
noon Maggie Terrell sent for Mr..
Charlton, her counsel, and had a
long interview with him. Shortly after
her physician visited her in accord
ance with her request, and he found her In
a very bad way, nervous, highly excited
and inclined to hysteria. The doctor pre-
scribed for her and gave directions regard
ing her treatment. These two visits became
known down town and excited considerable
curiosity and interest
At p. m: Coroner Dixon and the
physician had consultation at
the doctors Office presumably on the
case, and then they drove down to the So
licitor Generals Office and long discussion
was held, the doctor, Capt Dixon, Mr..
Charlton, her attorney, and Mr.. Fraser,
representing Mr.. duBignon, being present.
While this was going on, her petition
which had been previously prepared by
Mr.. Charlton, was taken to the Jail by JUS
tice of the Peace Warning Russell, who was
admitted to her presence, accompanied by
Jailer Kinsley, and her acknowledgment
thereto taken. This was done very quietly
and quickly, and, as was thought,
entirely unsupported by others. The
petition was then taken to Judge
Adams by the counsel, accompanied by their
plea, and the Judge granted writ of
habeas corpus returnable before him Tues
day morning at o'clock. At the meeting
of the counsel it was endeavored to arrange
for the hearing at o'clock last evening,
was absent, MIR. Fraser would not consent
to it, and finally Tuesday was settled upon.
WHAT THE PETITION ALLEGES.
The petition is short one, covering one
page of legal cap, clothed in usual legal
verbiage. 1t recited:
l. That she has already given bond for
the same offense before Justice Reynolds,
and that it was great injustice to keep her
confined therefor.
2 That the Coroner's commitment dis
closes no crime.
3. That she is guilty of no offense, and
therefore should be released.
1. That If she be guilty of any crime she
is entitled to hearing and to give bail.
Other immaterial points are touched upon,
but these are the more important and peril
tent The writ is directed to the Sheriff
and all parties concerned, commanding them
to bring the body of the said Maggie Terrell
before Judge Adams on Tuesday morning
at o'clock. 1t had not been served at the
Jail up to a late hour last night, but will be
probably early Monday morning.
The news of the granting of the writ was
only known to a few last night but those
who heard of it INDUCED in speculations
with regard to it. Opinion was divided re-
garding it, some feeling sure Maggie Terrell
would be released, while others maintained
that she was entitled to liberty, if nothing
could be brought against her.
THE CONFINEMENT WORRYING.
Never having been in prison before and
being of a nervous disposition, the
confinement, and worry, and distress of
mind incident to her position are I'M
derming her health She is inclined 20 hys-
terra and the few days confinement already
show their effect. She is spoken quite
we'll of by several reputable parties whom
the NEWS reporter interviewed, and many
expressed sorrow at her unfortunate and
terrible position. She is spoken of as pos
Sessing a kind disposition, with no vicious
tendencies, and had her surround
ings been different, they say she would
have been far different girl. Her ply
stefan speaks of her as being in great dis
tress of mind, and worrying over her situa-
ton all the while. Her mental distress
and general air of anxiety and trouble in
crease daily, and confinement of several
wees would doubtless prove very severe
for her.
She is lodged on the upper floor, in large
room, and is as well fixed as possible in such
hotel. She is very anxious to hear
scraps of outside news. She holds no COM
munication with anyone save her counsel,
physician and the prosecuting State officers.
When not reading she PAGES up and down
her room uneasily The suggestion was
advanced that her deafness made it impos-
sible for her to know much of the crime, as,
if Cassidy had desired to tell her anything
of the crime, he would have been deferred
from the fact that his loud talking would
have given the fatal secret away to others
Cassidy is locked up in a corner cell on
the lower floor and on the left hand side as
one enters the Jail. His cell is opposite a
side and the inner door, so he gets good
ventilation. He seems interested in the
drift of public opinion outside, but does not
seem to lose any sleep over his perilous
position.
THAT TELL-TALE HAT.
Smiths white derby that he wore on that
fatal day and which was alluded to in
| yesterdays NEWS, has been recovered. 1t
bears the dents of two blows, the one be-
hind being the heavier of the two. 1t is
strong evidence that the first blow was
struck from behind, and the second when
he sank down senseless.
1t will be remembered that Keyes testi-
fed that he woke up and found Cassidy
with his (Keyes0 pants in his hands and
fumbling over them. He thought Cassidy
wanted to rob him and cursed him out. The
idea has been advanced by several that Cas-
sidy's object in the room was to hide some
of the plumber in Keyes clothing, thereby
directing suspicion to him in case of trouble
reasonable than the idea of his trying to
rob Reyes
Edward Jones, the young negro lad who
has been held at the police barracks as a
witness, was turned over TO the county au-
thorities yesterday, on the Coroner's com.